Counting and stacking mechanism for boxes.



' No. 839,130. PATENTBD 11120.25, 1 0s.

commune AND STACKING MECHANISM FOR oxas.

1 APPLIOATIOI FILED NOV. 3, 1904.

7 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

rum T351120. 2-6, 1906;

I 0'. w. GAL v COUNTING AND STAOKING MECHANISM FOR BOXES.

A PPLIOATION FILED NOV. 3 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3. 7

PAYTENTED 11210.25. 1906.

- I 0. W. GAY. A COUNTING AND STAGKING MECHANISM roa'noxzs.

APPLIOATIQN FILED NOV. 3. 1904. V

' 4 SHEET 8BKEET 4.

CHAUNCEY w. GAY, or wnsr s PRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

"COUNTING AND STACKING MECHANISM FOR BOXES- To' all whom it 17mg concern.-

Be it known that I, CHAUNOEY W. GAY, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of West Springfield, in the county of liampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Counting and Stacking Mechanism for Folded Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention'relates to meansfor stacking or benching productions or manufactures of paper, cardboard, and the like in uniform pluralities, as in bunches all of twenty-five or such other number as may be predetermined, and for thereby effecting a mechanical counting of the pieces.

The improvements are particularly adapted for utilization in conjunction with machines for gluing or pasting, folding, and delivering in collapsed and flattened condition, folding boxes or cartons, also in conjunction with envelop-machines and printing-machines.

The object is to provide devices for the indicated purpose which are simple reliable in action, unlikely to become deranged in protracted'use, and. susceptible of combination in unobtrusive manner witll the paper-box,

envelop, or printing machine in connection with which it is to be employed; and the in vention consists in the combination or arrangement of devices and the construction of certain of saiddevices and of parts thereof, all substantially as hereinafter fully described, and set forth in the claims.

The present improved mechanical counting and bunching mechanism is hereinafter described in conjunction with the last oper ating portion of a pa er-box gumming and folding machine whic constitutes the subject-matter of an application for Letters Patent of the United States filed by me Septemoer-r14, 1904, Serial No. 224,441.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view representing the table at which the box blanks are successively folded, stuck, and flattened and movedto the delivery mechanism and representing the receiving-table for the series or bunches and the mechanical and automatic counting devices. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. this avertical sectional view as taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1,

l and showing many of the parts in elevation as seen beyond the plane of section. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the most important parts includedv in the novel mechanism, and

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed November 3,1904. Serial No. 231,294.;

.here briefly mentioned for Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the ratchetwheel and the carrier for the pawl cooperative therewith and showing a friction device or brake for the ratchet-wheel Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the views.

In Figs. 1 and 3, 75 represents a table on which the blanks are brought in partiallyfolded condition, as represented at r in Fig. 3'

and at 47 in Figs. 1 and 2. A slight portion of means for bringing-the blanks onto the table 75 through a path at right angles to the length of the table is also shown, and 84 represents the folding wing or blade pivotally mounted near the forward end of a sliding support 81, which has a backward and forward motion as imparted by a swinging lever 91 (cam-operated) in one direction and by the retracting-spring 82 in the other.

For a full understaruling of the devices as folding and fiattening the blanks and also causing the blanks to have movements from left to right, as

Figs. 1 and 3 are viewed, for delivery to the bunching and counting mechanism reference may be had to the aforementioned application.

I The blank the flaps of which have been folded in the manner described will then be subjected to the action of a pair of coopera tivc pressing-rolls 100 and 101, the former 100 of which is journaled in the stationary bearings held in a pair of auxiliary frames 102, while the latter 101 are mounted in spring-pressed bearings of suitable construe tion. l

The blanks are after beingzhorizontally fed and folded, deposited upon a carton-receiving table with one of their edges resting thereon, and means are provided for diverting the thus far horizontal path of the blank into a vertical one, these means consistin substantially, of a set of compressing-rods (designated in a general way by 103 and 104, respectively) and being similar in construction to the rolls 100 and 101 above described and also serving as additional devices for insuring a perfect contact between the fla portions to be united by the previously-( epo'sitcd layer of gum.

The several sets of rolls 100, 101', 103, and 104 are rcfcrably geared together in the manner s iown in .Fig. 3, in which a-gear 160 on thetlower roll 100 is illustrated in engage ment with a gear 1. 01 for driving the upper roll 103, while another gear 162 drivesf the Y lower roll 104, thus preserving the uniform direction of rotary movement for the purpose of advancing the blank in the required man ner.

The initial driving movement is imparted to the lower roll 100 by a chain 163, which drives a sprocket 164-, mounted on the shaft of the lower roll 100, and is driven from a sprocket 165, mounted upon a main shaft 12.

As the folded blank leaves the last set of pressing-rolls 104 it will be dropped vertically onto the carton-receiving table 105, havinga sliding weight 106 longitudinally movable thereon and to be gradually forced rearward by the accumulating cartons on the table. Each blank as it drops onto the table will pass and come to rest in front of a pusher 107, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) comprising a horizontally-disposed arm 108, which may be slotted to receive in suitably-adjusted positions thereon one or more pusher-blades 109. The pusher-lever 107 is preferably pivoted on a bracket 110, secured to the frame, and an oscillatory motion is im arted to it by a cam 111, secured upon a she t 12 and moving the thrust-rod 112 in one direction, the spring 112" insuring the retracting motion, as seen in Fig. 3.

The reciprocation of this lever results in the forcing of successive blanks beneath and past a detent 113, pivoted on an angleracket 114, secured to the side fr e 102, and also forcing the blanks on an past a gravitative detent o'r by-pass 115, pivoted in the table 105, these by-passes serving to retain the blanks in their pushed-forward posi tion, therefore avoiding interference with the subiseq uently-follo'wirn folded cartons as they are drsch' rged from the rolls 104.

. I c'oniunctin with the delivery portion the machine last described a counting mechanism is employed whereby one blank will I be left proje'r ting beyond the others a tor a certain number thereof have been deposited on the table. This counting mechanisin is shown in all the views, in which it will be seen that a bar 120 is guided by hldclis 121, secured to the frame in a suitable manner, and reci rocatory movement is imparted to it by a ever 122, fulcrurned at 123 frame and having a roller 124 in engagemeii't with a earn 125, whereby said level 122 is pushed toward the right, as seen in 2, while 'a spring 126 may be employed for moving the bar 120 toward the left. This bar constitutes the medium whereby the sucoessive blanks as they drop upon a table will be pushed from right to left, the particular device for accomplishing this purpose besecured oh the" baWliZO-as, for instance, by screws 127 The right-hand end of the bar has a pin 128, adapted to be engaged by a stop-plate 1.29, which is secured upon a disk 130, made in the form' of a ratchet, to which a step-by-step movement may be im )arted b r the mechanism to be hereinafter lescribe( In the present instance I have shown the ratchet-wheel as having twenty-five tooth, and during the advance of twenty-four of such teeth the bar 120 may reciprocate with perfect freedom and without meeting any obstruction. At the twenty-fifth tooth however, the plate 129 will project into the previously pushed aside by said finger 126.

Inasmuch as it is essential under the resent circumstances that the counting of t 0 cartons shall take place accurately or, in other Words, that the counting device shall operate only as blanks are passing through the machine, means are provided for normally retaining"the ratchet-wheel 130 inactive, motion bein r imparted thereto only as a blank is actual ypassing throu h the machine. The mechanism employed or achieving this result is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in which what may be termed a feeler 131 is dis osed directly in the rear of the rolls 100 an 101. This feeler 131 is mounted u on a spindle 132, pivotally supported on a mine and having a counterweight 133 for normally throwin the lower end of the feeler 131 toward the rolls 101. The spindle 132 is also provided with an arm 134, which is conheated, through a link 135, with a pawl 136, pivoted at 137 on an arm or paWl-carrier ISR, the pivot-axis of which is comentric with that of the ratchet 130 and which may be op. erated from an eccentric 139, mounted upoh the shaft 12, and connected with said arm by a rod 140 of usual construction. I

'The description 'ust given 'clcjarly shows that a constant oscillatory movement will be imparted to the arm 138, while, however, the ratchet-wheel 130 will not be'operatcd unless awl 136 has been lowered into position by a iilank striking the feeler 131, so that a move ment of the ratchet-whccl130 can onlyresult when the blank is passing between rolls 100 and 101.

lnasnnlch as the present improved mechanisms and appliances are to be employed in conjunction with paper-box machines and the like which are commonly constructed with capabilities for adjustments to accord ing shown herein as a finger 126', ad ustably i with different sizes for the products of such nun-limos, capabilities for adjustments of certain of the parts in the present (lovico'al'e shown and will bepointed out as follows:

The feolcr 131 may have different positions along the length of its, supporting-spindle or brackets, however they may rantally-arranged 'pcr extremities otthe blades may act as rockins rod=132 by; reason of the provision of l the hub portion 131* and the set-screw 131*, i so that no matter how n rrovnthe folded 5 boxes or blanks may he the. feeler mav always be positioned in the path of: the blank in the delivery movementfthereoi edgewisc onto the receiving-table. The receiving-table 105 may be raised or lowered in its clmnection on the main frame of the machine and, as shown, comprises the horizontal. table proper and at one end the bracket or brackets 175,, depending and having the vertical slots 176, so that with the coniiningbolts 177 the vertical positioning l of the table may be easily accomplished, while the supporting-leg 178 at the further 1 end of the table may be made of sections having bolt and-slot confinement, as reprel sented at 179. In order that the retainers or detents 1,13 l for the flattened boxes or pieces delivered i may be positioned properly above the table corresponding to the widths of the boxes, j the vertical supporting bars or brackets 11%, at the lower ends of which the detcnts are carried, are, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, made with the vertical slots 180, so that inconackets may be vertically adjusted. The be positioned are also adjustable horizontally jjmction with the confining-bolt l8i the vertically,

102, whic'i girder has the slot 182, and the same bolts 181 for confining the parts in their vertical adjustments arcelso utilized for confiningt-hem in theirhorizontally-ad justed positions. r

The blades 109, -e'arried on the slotted bar 108, which latter is an angular extension of the lever 107, have their upper portions an gular to their low-r connected portions, as shown in Fig. 3, sci as to form no impediment to the arrival of the blanks from the quadsets of rolls onto the receiving-table, and the dbliquelvdisposed upguides and also as means for preventing the blanks from tipping downwardly preparatory to their being forced along transversely of the planes of their faces and edgewise resting on the table.

The blade-carrying bar. 108, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, is verticaily adjustable on the upper extremity of the swinging pusherlever 107 by reason of the slot 184 and the confining-bolt 185.

in Fig. 5, 188 represents a spring-pressed brake or friction shoe in yielding pressure against the inner face of the rate eted disk 130, so that there can be no overthrow by momentum of said ratcheted. element to result in false counting.

The bearing member is carried at the free extremity of a U-shaped spring having between the opposit members thereof the along the irder 102 of the framing structure spiral, spring 190, which is held against displacement on. the stud 192.

Having thus described my invention, what i claim, and'desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a counting device for machines of the character described, comprising a receivingsupport for the for moving each blank or piece to a position thereupon, a reciprocatory slide operable against the individual blanks, and means'for preventing the active movement of said slide once to a given number of movements thereof.

2. In a counting device for machines of the character described, comprising a receivingsupport for the machine products and means for moving each blank or piece to a position thereupon, a reciprocatory slide operable against the individual blanks, a rotatable part having a stop member for preventing the active movement of said slide once to a given number of movements thereof.

3. In a counting device for machines of the character described, in combination, a" re eeiving-support for the blanks, rolls through which the blanks are fed toward said support, means for moving each blank laterally of said support co'mprisiuga reciprocatoryslide, a rotatable ratchet-toothed disk having a stopplatc, a vibrating pawl for intermittently rotating said disk, normally out of engagement therewith, and arranged to become actively cooperative with the ratcheted disk at each passage of the blank through said rolls and past the pawl t. In a counting device for machines of the machine products and means Y character described, in combination, a horiontal receiving-support for the blanks, pairs of rolls located higher than said support, and in quadrantal, downwardly feeding and deflecting arrangement through which the blanks are ied from horizontal positions toward said support, coming thereto in vertical positions, means l'or moving each blank later-- ally of sa id support and comprising a recipro catory slide, a rotatable rat chet-toothed disk,

having a stop, a vibrating pawl for intermittently rotating said disk, and normally out of engagement with the rat chctcd disk, and arranged to become actively eor'ipcrativc with si'lch disk at each passage of the blanks through said rolls.

5. in a counting device l'or machines for paper manufactures, the sets ol' l'ecd-rolls qundrantally arranged, a rcceivlug-support, a rcciprocal'ory slide for pushing ihc blanks individually across said support, a rotatable. raichcied disk having a slop, a vibratory pawl cooperating with said mlchctcd disk and normally out oi engagement ihcrcwith. and a lcclcr connected to said pawl, and located mljnccnt said rolls and across ihc path of the blanks. thercl hrough.

(i. in a mechanism of the character de- &

scribed, a pusher and means for positively actuating it (the pusher) in one direction, and yielding means to move it in the opposite direction, a ratchet-wheel arranged adjacent the pusher and having a stop adapted to periodically come to an intercepting position relatively to the pusher, int crmittentlyoperating means for impelling the ratchet- Wheel, means for feeding the boxes or blanks, and means controlled by the passage of the blanks and in turn controlling the impelling means for its action and non-action on the ratchet-wheel.

7. In a mechanism of the character de scribed, thesets of feeding-rolls in quadrantal arrangement, as described, and the receiving-table therebelow, a pusher and means for positively actuating it (the pusher) in one direction, and yielding means to move itin the opposite direction, a ratchet-wheel arranged adjacent the pusher and having a stop to periodically come to an intercepting position relatively to the pusher, a constantly-vibrating pawl, a feeler in the path of the roll-teed and having a controlling connection with said pawl and a reciprocatory pusher, having its movements in the line of the receiving-table, and for advancing the blanks thereonl 8. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a pair of feeding-rolls and a receiving-table, a pusher-bar arranged for reciprocatory motion horizontally and transversely relatively to the table and having the member 126, and also provided with the stop-pin 128, and the lever 122 engaged with the )ar, cam for forcing the lever in one direction and as tracting the l(/VCI','0f the s ind rod 132 adjacent, and paral rolls and having the teeler member 131 supported thereon, and having the counter weight 133 and the lever extension 134, the rat chet-wheel having the stop-plate 129, the pawl-carrier, the awl 136, a connectingrod and means or vibrating the pawlcarrier.

t). In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a pair of feeding-rolls and a receiving-table, a pusher-bar arranged for reciprocatory motion. horizontally and transversely relatively to the table and having the member 126 adjustable ring for ree or rocking along the length of the pusher-bar, and also provided with the st op-pin 128 and the lever 122 engaged Will! the bar, cam-actuated in one direction and sprmg-retracted, of the spindle or rocking rod 132 adjacent, and parallel with, the teed-*olls and having the leeler member 131 supp )rtcd thereon, and adjustable along the length of the spindle, and having the counterweight 133 and the lever extension 134, the ratchet-wheel 130 having the stop-plate 129, the pawl-carrier, the pawl ranged adjacent the el with, the feed-' 136, a connecting-rod 135 and means for vibrating the pawl-carrier.

10. In a mechanism of the character described, the sets of feeding-rolls in quadrantal arrangement, as described, and the receiving-table therebelow, a pusher and means for positively actuating it (the pusher) in one direction, and yielding means to move it in the opposite direction, a ratchet-wheel arranged adjacent the pusher and having a stop to periodically come to an intercepting position relatively to the pusher, a constantly-vibrating pawl, a feeler in the path of thc roll-feed and having a controlling connection with said pawl and pusher, having its movements in the line of the receiving-table, and for advancing the blanks thereon, and carrying the horizontally-extended bar having one or more upstanding blades located below the downfeeding path of the quadrantally-arrangcd feed-rolls and having their extremities inclined, as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In a mechanism of the character described, in combination paired feed-rolls and a receiving-table, a usher and means for positively actuating it (the pusher) in one direction, and yielding means to move it in the opposite direction, a ratchet-wheel arpushcr and having a stop to periodically come to an intercepting position relatively to the pusher, a constant] vibrating pawl, a feeler in the path of tlie roll-feed and having a control-ling connection with said pawl and a reciprocatory pusher, having its movements in the line of the receiving-table, and for advancing the blanks thereon, and consisting of the lever 107 having the horizontal bar, and one or more blades ups'anding from said bar, and horizontally adjust able thereon.

12. In a mechanism of the character described, in combination, aired feed-rolls and a receiving tablc',- a pus. 101 and means for positively actuating it (the pusher) in one direction, and yielding means to move it in the opposite direction, a ratchet-wheel ar ranged adjacent the pusher and having a stop to periodically come to an intercepting position relatively to the pusher, a constan tlyvibrating pawl, a teeler in the path of the roll-teed and having a controlling connection with said pawl and a reciprocatory pusher, having its movements in the line of the receiving-table, and for advancing the blanks thereon, and consisting of the lever 107 having the horizontal bar vertically adjustable on the lever and one or more blades upstanding from said bar, and horizontally adjustable thereon.

13. In a machine oi" the character described, in combinatimr, paired feeding-rolls and a receiving-table, a pusher having a stoppin, and means for positively actuating it a reciprocatory IIO ( p her) v i-011a direction, and yielding eans c it; in the o p s direction,

transversely the table, t 'e ratchct wheel,

d, in combination, quadrantally-ar ranged s of feeding-rolls and a receivingtable herebclcw, a pusher having a stopin,

I and means for positively actuating it the p r) in one direction, and yielding means to e it in the opposite direction, trans- Versely O he tablathe ratcl1et-wheel havg he stcpplate, a constantlywibratin pawl, a feeler in the path of the roll-feed an Wing at controlling connection with said pawL' a reciprccatory pusher having its movements in. the line of the receiving-table a f r advancing the blanks thereon, a s rame member having one or more vertical brackets vertically and alsohorizontally adjustable thereon, and having at their lower portions, above the table, the detents 113, substantially as described.

15 In a machine of the character described, in combination, quadrantally-arranged pairs of feeding-rolls and a receivingtable, comprising vertically-slotted brackets, and having confining bolts whereby it is vertically adjustable on the machiriaframe, a pusher-bar andmeans for positively actusiting-tit (the pusher) in one direction, and yicl g means to move it in the opposite direction, a ratchet-wheel arranged adjacent 4c the pusher-bar and having a stop to periodically come to an intercepting position relatively to the pusher, a constantly-vibrating pawl, a feeler 1n the path of the roll-feed and aving a controlling connection with said 5' pawl and a reciprocatory pusher-lever having llJSJIIOVBIIIGIIl/S in the line of the receiving table, and for advancing the blanks thereon, and provided with the verticallyadjustable slotted bar having the upstanding blade or blades horizontally adjustable on said slotted ban v 16. In a machine of the character described, in combination, the table 75 and the receiving-table therebelow, the paired feed rolls arranged in parallel are lines extending from the table 75 forwardly and downwardly toward, but terminating above the receiving-table, a pusher-bar and means for ositively actuating it (the pusher) in one irection, and yielding means to rnove it in the op osite direction, a ratchet-wheel arranged ad acent the pusher-bar and having a stop to periodically come to an intercepting position relatively to the pusher-bar, a constantlyvibrating pawl, a feeler in the path of the roll-feed and having a controlling connect-ion with said pawl, and a reoiprocatory pusherlever having its movements in the line of the receiving-table, and for advancing the blanks 7o thereon. Signed by me at Springfield, Massachusetts, in presence of two subscribing wit:

nesses.

' CHAUNCEY W. GAY. Witnesses:

, WM. S. BELLows, G. R. DRISOOLL. 

